It’s a more intimate, exciting and character-driven story, but is occasionally hampered by its bloated length and by hewing too closely to the structure of the first chapter.

The action takes place roughly a year later, and our heroes are still haunted by the trauma of the previous year. Will (Noah Schnapp) experiences “episodes” with vivid visions of the Upside Down that may not be real. Nancy (Natalia Dyer) is wracked with guilt over Barb’s (Shannon Purser) death. Hopper (David Harbour) and Joyce (Winona Ryder) are continually monitoring new threats. Mike (Finn Wolfhard) is still mourning Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown), who is alive and well, but separated from her friends